Research on emotion-focused and problem-focused co

Nolen-Hoeksema (1993) suggested that women's emotion focused coping (e.g. thinking and worrying) strategies were more likely to lead to depression than mens (exercising and drinking).

Park et al. (2004) found that problem focused coping was positively related to a positive mood when dealing with highly controllable stressors

Fang et al. (2006) however, found that women who felt more in control and who engaged in problem focused coping became more distressed over time than women who did not.

Rukholm and Viverais (1993) concluded that if someone feels threatened by a stressor then they can only use problem focus coping if they deal with the emotions through emotion focused coping first.

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Evaluation of the coping styles

Problems of measurement- the ways of coping questionnaire could be ambiguous, For example is mobilizing social support classed as problem or emotion focused. It may be used to distract or to obtain information.

Dunkel-Shetter et el (1992) have adapted the categories as they were seen as too general and not realistic.

Some emotion focused strategies such as approach (recognizing your feelings) are sometimes more effective. Stanton (2000) found that men who used emotion coping by identifying and expressing emotions are able to deal with infertility better.

Problem focused coping can be ineffective if emotions are not realised first

Baker and Berenbaum (2007) found that people who used emotion focused coping first were more effective in using problem focused coping afterwards.

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Gender Differences

Brody and Hall (1993)- a stereotypical view exists that men are more likely to use problem focused coping and women are more likely to use emotion focused coping. - Stone and Neale (1984) supported this with a study

Rosario (1988) found that women used emotion focused coping more than men. They came up with two theories to explain this:

Socialisation Theory- argues that women have been socialised to use less effective strategies. Women are taught to express their emotions but act passively. Men are taught to be more active.

Role Constraint Theory- argues that the differences come from the roles that men and women tend to occupy. Rosario found that men and women who were socially equal did not differ in their coping strategies.